The. Why, gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing.
Hip. He says they can do nothing in this kind.88
The. The kinder we, to give them thanks for nothing.
Our sport shall be to take what they mistake:
And what poor duty cannot do, noble respect
Takes it in might, not merit.92
Where I have come, great clerks have purposed
To greet me with premeditated welcomes;
Where I have seen them shiver and look pale,
Make periods in the midst of sentences,96
Throttle their practis'd accent in their fears,
And, in conclusion, dumbly have broke off,
Not paying me a welcome. Trust me, sweet,
Out of this silence yet I pick'd a welcome;100
And in the modesty of fearful duty
I read as much as from the rattling tongue
Of saucy and audacious eloquence.
Love, therefore, and tongue-tied simplicity104
In least speak most, to my capacity.
[Enter Philostrate.]
Philost. So please your Grace, the Prologue is address'd.
The. Let him approach.
Flour[ish of] Trum[pets].
Enter the Prologue (Quince).
Prol. If we offend, it is with our good will.
That you should think, we come not to offend,109
But with good will. To show our simple skill,
That is the true beginning of our end.
92 I.e., takes the will for the deed
93 clerks: scholars
105 capacity: understanding
106 address'd: ready
107 S. d. Flourish: blast
